2009 MEN'S PAN AM CUP
Updated on March 15, 2009
Sunday, March 15
The USA Field Hockey Men’s National Team fell to Canada, 2-1 in overtime, in the finals of the 2009 Pan Am Cup. Canada automatically qualifies for the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi, India. The USA qualifies for one of three World Cup qualifying tournaments to be held in November or December.
Canada’s Paul Wetlaufer scored the golden goal four minutes into extra time, off a penalty corner. U.S. goalkeeper Tom Sheridan stopped the initial shot, but Wetlaufer was able to collect the rebound and score the game winner.
The USA scored quickly to open the contest, with a field goal from Pat Harris (Moorpark, CA) in the fifth minute. Harris led the Americans with six goals in the tournament.
Canada controlled the possession in the first half, with frequent scoring opportunities and breakaways that the strikers failed to convert.
In the second half, some strong American attacks were countered by an outstanding performance by Canadian goalkeeper David Carter. Carter was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Canadian Scott Tupper tied the contest with a penalty corner goal in the 61st minute. Canada was then able to push the game in extra time and score the golden goal.
Canada finally captured the Pan Am Cup championship after finishing second in the previous two tournaments.
The second place finish is the best Pan Am Cup result for the Americans. In the two previous tournaments, the highest previous finish by the United States was fifth in the inaugural competition in 2000. In 2004, the USA finished seventh. Cuba claimed the first Cup in 2000, followed by Argentina in 2004.
The 2009 Pan American Cup Final between Canada and the USA was streamed live on Santiago Radio, a local English-speaking radio station.
Follow the link: http://st1.webradioworld.net/start/sportzone/ for the game! Game Time: 5:00pm Eastern.
At the top of the page, across from "Now playing: (Online)", click on your preferred media player to start the stream. (Argentina vs Chile is also being streamed!)
Kevin Segeren checks in with updates to the player blog! CHECK OUT THE BLOG! >>
Saturday, March 14
The USA Men's National team defeated Chile, 2-1, in the semifinals of the 2009 Pan Am Cup in Santiago, Chile.
Pat Harris opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a penalty corner, and Jed Cunningham added a second goal in the 64th minute. Chile mounted a late comeback, as Thomas Kannegiesser scored a penalty corner goal four minutes later, but the USA held on for the victory.
The USA will face Canada in the championship game on Sunday at 17:00 local time.
GAME REPORT by Yan Huckendubler, PAHF Media Officer:
"Semi-final #2 was played in front of full house and broadcast live on National TV. The Chilean players seemed nervous and, although dominating the early stage of the match, could not capitalize. The USA, well backed by Thomas SHERIDAN in goal, weathered the storm calmly and, following the example of Canada in the previous game, took advantage of a lone penalty-corner to take the lead by Pat HARRIS in the 30th minute, silencing the boisterous home crowd.
"With the game not going at all according to plan, Chile were suddenly less confident and failed to display the speed and team work that allowed them to push Canada around earlier in the competition. The USA stayed focused on the task at hand and seemed content to live on their meager advantage. Incredibly, they managed to double their lead by Jed CUNNINGHAM in the 64th minute.
"USA were reduced to ten players for the end of the game when Ian SCALLY got a yellow card, opening the gate for a last effort by a desperate Chilean team, anxiously pushed by the local crowd. They pulled one goal back by Thomas KANNEGIESSER with two minutes to go, but it was too little too late and the Americans were soon celebrating their unexpected win, while the Chileans will wonder for a while how they can have left the game, and the Pan American Cup final, slip away for their hands."
Wednesday, March 11
Ian Scally checks in with the blog update from the team! CHECK OUT THE BLOG! >>
Tuesday, March 10
The USA Field Hockey Men’s National Team fell to Argentina, 8-0, in their final game of pool play at the 2009 Pan American Cup in Santiago, Chile. Pedro Ibarra scored three goals to lead the defending champions past the Americans. The winner of the tournament automatically qualifies for the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi, India.
Despite today’s loss, the USA secured a spot in the Pan Am Cup semifinals on Saturday, March 14 at 2:00pm local time. The Americans will face the winner of Pool B, a group that includes 2008 Olympic Games participants Canada and host nation Chile.
The USA completed Pool A play with a second place finish, with a record of two wins and one loss. Argentina won Pool A with three dominating victories, outscoring opponents 33-0.
If the USA does not win the 2009 Pan Am Cup, they will also be awarded an invitation to one of three World Cup Qualifying tournaments to be held in November or December 2009.
Pat Harris (Moorpark, CA) leads the USA with four goals, all in Sunday’s 8-0 victory over Uruguay. Jon Ginolfi (Moorpark, CA) scored three against Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday, and Will Holt (Camarillo, CA) has two. All three are graduates of Moorpark College in Moorpark, CA.
Monday, March 9
Pat Harris checks in with another update in the player blog, CHECK OUT THE BLOG! >>
Sunday, March 8
The USA Men's National team defeated Uruguay, 9-0, in their second game of pool play at the 2009 Pan American Cup. PAT HARRIS score four goals in the victory to lead the America attack.
GAME REPORT by BEN MARUQUIN, Team Manager:
"After their opening round win against Trinidad and Tobago, the USA team needed a solid effort against the rank outsider Uruguay in their second Pool A match up. Six points in two days would surely carry them into a semifinal berth against one of tonight's Pool B match Canada vs. Chile.
"It was Pat Harris who opened up the scoring in the fifth minute by way of penalty corner, and again in the 18th by a beautifully executed field goal. Jarred Martin had a magical moment in the 22nd minute, dancing into the Uruguayan circle with deft stick skills and pounding a reverse stick shot into the low left corner of the goal. 3-0 at half time.
"Patrick Harris quickly opened up the scoring again on a direct penalty corner flick in both the 38th and 47th minutes. While Nate Coolidge was substituted on and within minutes had netted a proper field goal from a nice game plan movement.
"Will Holt scored twice from three direct flick penalty corner chances, while Jed Cunningham finished the USA scoring with a diving deflection field goal in the 67th minute.
"The USA finishes day two with six points and another step in the right direction for their Pool A match up with South American giants Argentina on Tuesday."
SCORING RECAP:
4' - Pat Harris, PC
18' - Pat Harris, FG
22' - Jarred Martin, FG
38' - Pat Harris, PC
47' - Pat Harris, PC
58' - Nate Coolidge, FG
64' - Will Holt, PC
66' - Will Holt, PC
67' - Jed Cunningham, 67'
Saturday, March 7
The USA Men's National team defeated Trinidad & Tobago, 4-3, in their first game of pool play at the 2009 Pan Am Cup. The USA scored three goals in the final nine minutes to rally past Trinidad. Jon Ginolfi scored three goals to lead the Americans..
After a scoreless first half, the action was frenetic in the second. Trinidad & Tobago opened the scoring early in the second half to take the lead, but the USA responded just four minutes later, as Jon Ginolfi scored his first field goal of the game to knot the game.
Trinidad capitalized again quickly, scoring two quick goals in succession from Trinidad captain Kwandwane Browne and opening a 3-1 lead.
The USA regrouped and Sean Hariss began the American rally ten minutes later. Jon Ginolfi completed the rally in dramatic fashion, scoring two goals, including the game-winner in the 69th minute.
GAME REPORT by BEN MARUQUIN, Team Manager:
"Make no bones about it, the winner of this match, finds their way to a Pan Am Cup semi final birth and paves the way to a 2010 World Cup qualification.
"The US started tentatively and let nerves and inexperience get the best of them for the entire first half of hockey. Several opportunities were available to the young side however playing seemed to get more difficult as easy options were tossed out the window for the more exciting, high risk play.
"Scoring opened up with a Dwain Quan Chan baseline shot finding it's way over Tom Sheridan's leg in the 41st minute. Which woke the US team up, and got them playing with a little more life. Jonothan Ginolfi answered the T+T effort, with a beautiful rebound goal from a Jarred Martin shot.
"T+T immediately put pressure back on the US defense and forced a penalty corner. In which Kwane Brown put into the upper right hand corner of the goal, making the score line 2-1. The US struggled to play simple hockey and were again put under pressure by the Islanders.
"And just 4 minutes later Kwane Brown smashed a reverse stick shot through a small pack of players into the low left corner. Pumping his fist Tiger Woods style while allegedly heckling young master Sheridan. 3-1 to T+T in the 51st minute, while the small island nation, looking as though they would replay the Auckland result from a year earlier. However, Ginolfi and the boys had other plans.
"With the USA game plan in the gutter and little to work from, the unit started to make the game simple again. Working defensively to make tackles, using simple options, letting the ball do the work while the front end players began to manipulate the T+T defensive zones. Earning a much needed scoring opportunity by way of a penalty corner, Patrick Harris got the goalkeeper to lean the wrong way and put one past him low left. The USA was back in business at 3-2.
"Three minutes later Jed Cunningham defended back into his defensive 25 area and picked the T+T left wings pocket and quickly got the ball moving up the field. Pat Harris received the ball on the attacking 40 and began a run that saw him draw three T+T defenders and a beautifully executed reverse stick pass into the circle, to a moving Ginolfi who then pounded the ball past Francis Glen, with reckless abandon. 3-3 at 64 minutes. The USA desperately needed to get out of the match with more than just a point.
"With a blue collar effort, the USA again looked for holes in the island nations defensive structure and once again the ball fell this time into a sprinting Jarred Martin's hands who belted a cross from the left side 23m mark to a diving Ginolfi, who deflected the ball past goalie Francis Glen, to leave T+T needing a goal in the final 45 seconds to get a point.
"The USA holds onto the 4-3 score line to secure the 3 points and second place by goal difference to Argentina on the opening day of play. Ginolfi receives man of the match honors for his hat trick performance, and a great reward for his outstanding work in the pre-tournament training environment.
"Coach Nick Conway remarked,"It's always nice to get a result when you are not firing on all cylinders." The USA plays South American outsider Uruguay at high noon, tomorrow."
Keep up to date with the Men's National Team with the player blog!
NICK SZOKE posts an entry for Thursday, March 5! Read the blog! >>
ANDY SHERIDAN recaps the trip to Sanitago and the first days of training! Read the blog! >>